Apprenticeship Testimonials

Real life experiences of Motus Commercials employees, who started their careers as Apprentices and have progressed through the ranks in Sales, Service or Parts to achieve a key position in one of our dealerships.

Current Job Title: Regional Truck Sales Manager

Location: Motus Commercials Wrexham and Motus Commercials Stoke

When Stuart joined Motus Commercials: In 2004, aged 17          

Apprenticeship: DAF Apprentice Technician 

Other training: HNC Vehicle Operations Management, Imperial Management Development Program, CIM Marketing, Paccar MBA, Muliple DAF Product/Sales courses

Other roles whilst at Motus Commercials: Apprentice Commercial Vehicle Technician, Commercial Vehicle Technician, Service Advisor, Sales Executive/Engineer

Highlights of employment: Continued development, promotion to Regional Truck Sales Manager, first large multimillion pound volume order with Huws Gray, doubling planned GP in first year as Sales Manager, successful and continued growth of the business under my leadership.

Advice for current apprentices or future applicants: Work hard, be ambitious and the rest will follow. Be prepared to go the extra mile and do not be scared to demonstrate your development ambitions. Motus promotes internal growth and provides great opportunities.

Other relevant or useful info: Not really relevant but I always remember at my first Christmas party as a young apprentice, telling Geoff Haspell (Regional Director at the time and after a few drinks) that I would be doing his job in a few years’ time, and I’m certainly getting closer!

Current Job Title: Service Manager (DAF)

Location: Motus Commercials Macclesfield and Motus Commercials Stoke

What Lee did before joining Motus Commercials: I started working in the automotive industry at the age of 13 by getting a Saturday job cleaning up and being the general dogsbody at a local car garage.

At the age of 15, I did one weeks work experience at RG Bassett and Sons Haulage Company. This turned into 2 weeks and then became a Saturday job. Soon I was enrolled onto a 3-year apprenticeship, going to college for one day a week to study for my NVQ level 3 in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. I worked a further 7 years at this company where I gained my HGV Class 1 driving licence and became the first person in the UK to gain the new Irtec Advanced Technician grading.

When Lee joined Motus Commercials: 2013      

Apprenticeship: NVQ level 3 in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

Other training: HGV Class 1 driving licence, Irtec Advanced Technician, DAF Level 3 Technician Status, Management Skills via National Learning Centre Training for Volkswagen Commercials.

Other roles whilst at Motus Commercials: HGV Technician, DAF Master Technician, Workshop Team Leader, Workshop Controller, Service Manager (Volkswagen Commercials)

Lee's Reflection: I've learned a lot along the way in roles that I have had both before and during my time at Motus Commercials. In my current role as Service Manager I manage the day to day running of Motus Commercials Stoke and Motus Commercials Macclesfield, managing over 30 staff in total. This is the job that I've always desired from my very first interview and I'm really happy to have achieved my goal.

Current Job Title: Parts Team Leader

Location: Motus Commercials Halesowen

When Joe joined Motus Commercials: 2018

Apprenticeship: Level 2 in Vehicle Parts

Other roles whilst at Motus Commercials: Parts Van Driver, Parts Advisor

Joe's apprenticeship experience: When I was first asked to go onto an apprenticeship, I was very apprehensive. Firstly, because I had already been given the job in which the apprenticeship role had been made for, so I honestly thought, "Why I should I have to do extra training and spend time away from home and family?" Secondly, at the age of 30, I felt as though I was far too old to be enrolled onto an apprenticeship, as in my mind this type of training was for 16 – 24 year olds.

I am very happy to say that my opinion has changed dramatically. My apprenticeship has helped me to gain very important knowledge, which I could have only got from this course. Along the way I've also met some incredible people and made lifelong connections too.

On top of this, my passion and drive to succeed for myself and also the company has increased tenfold, and I now have a confidence I never knew I had.

Joe's future with Motus Commercials: With just a few months left to complete my apprenticeship, I've been offered a promotion to become Parts Team Leader at our busy Halesowen dealership. This is testiment to the quality apprenticeship that has put me on the right track to a fantastic future career.

Advice for apprenticeship ponderers: To anybody that is in two minds about an apprenticeship, I would definitely say just go for it. It establishes a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and confidence, and has the potential to open so many doors for you.